2 lawmen face raps for violating Duterte election order

Police Col. Romeo Caramat Jr., director of the Philippine National Police – Counter-Intelligence Task Force. PHOTO by Cathrine Gonzales / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Two policemen face possible dismissal from the service after they were caught providing unauthorized security to a Bulacan politician.

The head of the Counter-Intelligence Task Force (CITF) said Wednesday that PCpl Gerlie Garcia and PPat Jed Ceril Sevilla would be cited for escorting Marilao mayoral candidate Ricardo Silvestre.

“Hindi sila hinuli. Pinagsabihan lang sila na kakasuhan ng administrative case for violating the PRRD [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte] and CPNPs [Chief of the Philippine National Police] directive that PNP and AFP must be non-partisan,” said CITF director Police Col. Romeo Caramat Jr.

Caramat said Garcia and Sevilla would not face arrest since their case was only administrative.

According to the CITF, the activities of the two policemen were monitored by members of the task force and the and Philippine National Police Intelligence Group (PNP-IG).

Police said the lawmen provided security to Silvestre during a campaign rally last March 29 and 31 at the Nicanor V. Guillermo Convention Center and Bisita Heritage Home, Barangay Loma Degato, in Marilao, respectively. 

CITF and PNP-IG said the violations were properly documented, photograph and video recorded and appropriate administrative charges were being prepared against Garcia and Sevilla.

CPNP Gen. Oscar Albayalde earlier warned that police officers who provide unauthorized security to politicians might face dismissal from service.

“I told them that we will be harsh on this. We will show no mercy. These police officers will surely face administrative cases that may lead to their dismissal,” Albayalde said during his visit to the Philippine Military Academy last Mar. 30 or a day after the start of official campaign period for local candidates.

READ: Cops securing politicians without authorization risk dismissal